Challengers refuse to participate in mayoral debate

Published 11:53 pm, Thursday, October 22, 2009

SHELTON -- There won't be any debate between the three mayoral candidates after all.

A debate tentatively scheduled for next week has been officially canceled after two of the three candidates refused to take part, saying it is too last minute.

"I don't know what they're afraid of," said Republican Mayor Mark A. Lauretti, who was the only candidate willing to take part.

They're not afraid, but they are weary of the Republicans' motivation for initiating the plans for a debate, representatives both the Democratic and Citizens United party said.

"Our main reason for declining it is that it was too last minute to have a debate a week before the election," said Citizens United chairman Chris Panek. "It seems like a last-ditch effort by the Republicans to throw together a debate."

"We were more than willing to debate if everything could have been put together," Democratic candidate Chris Jones said. "But they were trying to bully us into debating -- it's the tactic they use all the time, intimidate, intimidate, intimidate."

Both said that the Exchange Club had not expressed any interest in hosting a debate until asked by Republican Town Committee chairman Anthony Simonetti. "It seems odd that the Republican Town Committee chairman called them to set up a debate for a week before the election," Panek said.

And both objected to the proposed location -- Bronson Country Club.

Lauretti would have debated under any circumstances they wanted, Simonetti said.

"Mayor Lauretti has said he will meet either or both of the candidates for a debate at any location and has offered the City Hall auditorium as an alternate venue," Simonetti said.